Into the stacks

I went to the public library to pick up a requested book
and decided to take a stroll in the stacks.
I was looking for books about the American Prairie.
I found books that changed my life.

After reading one paragraph in the introduction, of this eye opening book,
I knew I needed to take notes. I finally understood why I am drawn to the story of Sleeping Beauty. I now want to read the original stories. The Disney version is not the real story!

I have shared my notes with a few friends. They have ordered the book. I too want this one in my library. I always knew about fight and flee, I never knew about freeze.
I freeze. I sleep. I am a dreamer. I understand now why I sleep.

I understand now I need the spiritual growth before I move into the next stage of my life.
I understand why dreaming for me is needed for transformation.

I understand me a wee bit better.

This book almost jumped out of the stacks when I walked by.
The title caught my eye. The cover drew me in. This book touched my heart. For the first time I read about how I perceive the world. I know the world by direct perception. I know plants and birds and insects with my heart first and my mind second. This book took me by the hand and lead me outside to my rosemary and lavender. This book showed me how to get back into my gardening. This book opened the door I had closed when so many of my plants died in 2007.

I spent five hours reclaiming my little herb garden. I smelled green again. I was one with the echinacea, the rosemary and the garden rue. I have ideas on how to bring an elegance to my little herb garden. I am pleased to be with the plants. I understand now how to let the plants heal me.

I am a practical person.

I like lovely jars and scents.

I am learning how to make my own cosmetics.

I am learning how to make my own medicines.

I am learning how to grow for the bees and the butterflies and me.

I am learning and gathering my supplies.

Once again I am enjoying my home spa.

I am giving myself my facials.

I am taking time to refresh each day.

While I was in Grinnel, Iowa, for a Weavers Conference in June

I met a Crow.

I am reading about Crow and Ravin lore.
I am learning. Once again I am allowing Nature to teach me.

I am writing and keeping journals.

I am reading the myths of the Plains.

These stories tell me about the prairie in a different way.

These stories touch my spirit.

I am spinning in the afternoons when it is too hot or too wet to be outside.

I am knitting too.

I knit when we drive to visit the different Prairies on Sunday.
I knit when I visit with family and friends.

While I spin or knit at home I am listening to lectures.

I am learning Classical Mythology, again.

I read in "Spinning Straw into Gold" when the characters in a fairy tale change their clothes transformation is about to happen.

I have been wanting to change the way I dress.

I have not known my new style.

I have a desire to create.
Perhaps nature will show me the way.

I will design my own shoes and dresses.
I shall begin to gather the supplies for winter sewing.

I have an idea.

I shall knit and sew and create wearable art.

The flora and fauna in my backyard

will be my inspiration.

I am awake.

My stroll in the stacks changed my life.

Books are powerful!

I am reading....

This summer I am studying the Prairie.

On Sundays my husband and I are visiting different Prairies in our area.

I am in search of the pink Katydid.
It is an endangered bug.
I hope I see one!

In the afternoons while I spin

or knit I have been listening to books on CD.

This one was wonderful.
I enjoyed hearing Deepak Chopra's voice.
He has other stories too.
I have a long lists of books on request from the library.

I need knitting patterns and more books on CD!

Summer Reading

My friend Cheryl sent "Tree Wisdom"
a couple of months ago.

I read a few pages before turning the light off at night.
I dream about friends and trees!

Sue Turner is a wonderful poet.
I fell in love with her work through her blog, Tumblewords.
I read a poem with my morning pear.


In the morning I have a cup of Yoga!
I feel ready to start the day after a good stretch!

I am sorting
one drawer, one cabinet at a time.
I must remember progress not perfection is what I look for.

My knitting is coming along.
I began my next project. I am learning the different stitches.
Hopefully after I finish a skein of wool I will be comfortable with each one.



I am planning my indoor winter gardens.
I also am thinking about how I want to re-do my gardens.
I want to grow more food.
I am thinking about small fruit trees and bushes.




Michael Pollan was in town and we went to see him.


I checked this book out of the library.
Sometimes I like to read and take notes.

I bought a Yogurt maker.

Now I am learning how to cook and bake with it.

I enjoy my daily yogurt.

My Doctor prescribed the next two books.

Wow! I am so impressed with both of these authors.

Both of these books have changed my life.

I have read them twice and I have taken notes.

I now practice mindfulness daily.

I saw this gem at the library.

It is full of wonderful tidbits.

I like this book so much it is on my look for list.

I would love to highlight and write in the margins!

What are you reading this summer?

Spring Slim Down

I have been wanting to slim down.
I have tried all sorts of different approaches.
My Doctor prescribed this book!

While at the bookstore
I saw this marvelous book

and this one!

I needed a journal for my Writing Diet!

This Spring I am slimming down.
I am becoming slim and trim!

February Reading

While shopping at the market
I came across this gem of a book.

Richo Cech's stories and how to's are fun to read.
Having a formulary to refer to is so nice!
I do make some of my medicine and some cosmetics.
After reading only half of this book I have decided to make more!
I also will be writng down what I make and creating my own formulary.
I see a herb cabinet in my future!




I am learning about book binding.
Having a paper craft and book binding spot is very nice.
As I find supplies I am putting a movable paper studio together.

One of these days I will have a studio
and my paper things will be in cabinet and drawers.
For now they are in baskets and pretty boxes.

This month by month bird feeding guide is easy to read and inspiring.
I have lots of feeding stations set up in the gardens.
I enjoy feeding the birds but I needed some inspiration.
I found it in this book.

Woodpeckers are the birds I am studying in 2009.
It was a joy to see Golden-Fronted Woodpecker while in the
Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Dragon Ways

My husband and I were born in the year of the
Water Dragon.

I collect Dragons for our
Luna New Year decorating.

I find the Dragon Ways so charming.

I would never want to stop the chi of heaven
from going into my bowl.
I use chop stick holders to save the table and the bowl.

2009 is the year of the Ox.

I made my cards last week.

I picked up my postage stamps.

This is one of the many ways I chase away the winter blahs.


What year were you born in?